Arsenal Transfer News: Lucas Perez Agent Quotes Denied, Latest Gunners Rumours

Lucas Perez's agent, Rodrigo Fernandez Llovelle, has denied saying the forward is desperate to leave Arsenal "at all costs" and is keen on a move to AC Milan.

The Independent's Ed Malyon relayed as much:

Calciomercato (h/t Football Italia) had reported that Llovelle said Lucas wants out this summer and hopes to join a club of similar stature to the Gunners, although no offers have been received yet:

"

If Lucas leaves London—and he will leave because he's had no chance with [Arsene] Wenger—he wants to go and play for a big club like Arsenal. 

Milan is a great club and he likes them very much, even if we've never talked with the Rossoneri hierarchy.

Look, the truth is that Lucas wants to leave at all costs and is not happy at Arsenal, he hasn't settled and hasn't had a chance to play and show what he can do.

"

He was said to have added: "No matter who is the manager in the future, we want to go. The player must have the chance to play."

Bleacher Report UK's James McNicholas and football writer Philippe Auclair believe Lucas would be entitled to want to leave:

Though his agent may not have said as much, it wouldn't be too surprising if Lucas were unhappy with the game time he's receiving at the Emirates Stadium.

The Spaniard arrived in a £17 million deal last summer after an excellent season with Deportivo La Coruna, during which he notched 19 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

As Goal's Chris Wheatley demonstrated, Lucas has hardly had chance to shine at Arsenal thus far but has nevertheless managed to impress:

When the striker first joined, it appeared he would be a back-up for or alternative to Olivier Giroud, but with Alexis Sanchez being moved into a centre-forward role, he's found both players in front of him in the pecking order.

Even if Wenger reverts Sanchez back to his role on the wing, Giroud has also made the most of his limited chances this season, with 11 goals and five assists from 24 appearances, only nine of which were starts.

Danny Welbeck has also returned to fitness, which could put yet another obstacle in Lucas's way.

It's a situation Lucas is unlikely to accept in the long term, so if it doesn't improve before the end of the season, he may still consider his future at the club. 

LOIC VENANCE/Getty Images

Meanwhile, according to France Football's Nabil Djellit (h/t Metro's Tom Olver), Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur each scouted Toulouse centre-back Issa Diop on Sunday when they took on Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.

Ligue 1 writer Rich Allen is an admirer of the 20-year-old:

Diop helped Toulouse record an impressive 0-0 draw in the French capital.

The Gunners have plenty of centre-back options, with Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny backed up by Gabriel Paulista, Rob Holding and Per Mertesacker.

Diop is a rising star with excellent potential, though, so he could still make a worthwhile purchase if the Gunners are prepared to give him game time.